Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin is coming to the Bank of Kentucky Center at Northern Kentucky University, and he is bringing a worship service with him.

Tomlin, who will be at BOKC March 19, is touring with Rend Collective to promote his seventh studio album “And If Our God is For Us….”

“We’re really on a mission here, and God has given us a platform to travel all over the world, and that’s so exciting,” Tomlin said in a media statement.

Tomlin’s concerts are set up to achieve his goal. According to Matt Merchant, marketing manager of the Bank of Kentucky Center, Tomlin forgoes the typical concert setting.

Tomlin performs solo and alongside Rend Collective — sometimes even giving them the entire stage. Louie Giglio, founder of sixstepsrecords and Passion City Church, will be sharing the same message.

“If [students] are into religion or a positive atmosphere, they will like it,” Merchant said.

Merchant added that whether students are involved in or just curious about religion, they might enjoy the opportunity to worship without going to a traditional church service.

Tickets may go quickly, though. According to Merchant, Tomlin is popular with contemporary Christian music fans of all ages and several church groups are buying tickets already. Merchant said he even did a ticket sale for a group of 170.

It is not surprising that tickets are selling in large quantities for Tomlin’s concert. His albums “Hello Love, See the Morning” and “Arriving” were certified gold and platinum, respectively.

Although his music is popular, Tomlin remains humble, maintaining that selling a lot of albums is not his goal.

“I just love that God uses me,“ Tomlin said. “But my role isn’t to grab as much attention as I possibly can, but to really point people to God.”

Communications studies major LeeAnn Kenney is a fan Tomlin’s songs “Our God is Greater” and “Awakening,” which have been used in campus worship services.

“He has great worship songs,” Kenney said.

According to Kenney, she and some others from the Baptist Student Center plan to go to Tomlin’s worship service March 19.

“I went to ‘Passion,’ and it’s the same show that’s coming here,” said nursing major Whitney Smith. “It’s going to be a really good one.”

Tomlin will be performing at 7 p.m. March 19 at BOKC. Tickets are available online and at the box office. General admission is $27; the student rate is $17.

For more information about the concert, visit http://www.bankofkentuckycenter.com, or visit Tomlin’s official website at http://christomlin.com.

Story by Roxanna Blevins